Assistive Technology Training and Support Services

 Introduction

There’s absolutely no shame in admitting that you might not be as good with your computer or mobile device as you wish you could be. We hear people talk about how wonderful they are and yet, whenever you try to use it, the device or software seems to not want to cooperate, no matter what you do. Things aren’t speaking the way you expect and when your device is talking it’s just not making sense.

It’s OK. The software doesn’t hate you and the computer isn’t out to get you, even though sometimes it may seem that this is the case. Occasionally, we just need a little bit of help and there’s absolutely no shame in that. We all need that occasional assistance, myself included. I’m able to assist you in using your Windows computer or Apple iDevice, such as an iPhone or iPad.

About My Career

I’ve been working in the blindness assistive technology field for over 30 years and I’m also a daily user of this technology. I started out providing technical support to customers at Blazie Engineering, a company known for revolutionary products such as the Braille ‘n Speak and Braille Lite. I also wrote and edited product documentation and facilitated group training sessions. After that I worked for two nonprofits where I provided computer training to blind children and adults. I then worked for Comcast for over seven years providing testing and recommendations for improving their apps and services, making them more accessible for screen reader users.

I’ve not only been working in the field but I use this technology on a daily basis.

Software and Devices That I Use

I’ve been a user of the JAWS for Windows screen reader since version 1.0 was released in 1995 and even used the JAWS for DOS product prior to JFW’s release. Other Freedom Scientific products that I use are the OpenBook scanning and reading software program, the Pearl camera and the Focus 40 Blue Braille display. I have also received JAWS certification from Freedom Scientific as of 2022 although I have continued to use the JAWS screen reader into its 2024 release.

I am also a user of Leasey from Hartgen Consultancy. This amazing program adds even more capabilities to the JAWS screen reader.

I’ve been a user of NVDA since 2009 and am also certified in its use.

I have been an iPhone  user since 2014. I’ve also been a user of the Apple Watch since 2022.

I can help you in using your assistive technology, whether you need some help in downloading a book from BARD or Bookshare, reading that book on your iPhone or in writing a book of your own using Microsoft Word.

My Fee

I charge $60.00 per hour and I can be paid using Zelle, Apple Pay or PayPal (no personal checks.) Training is done remotely, either by phone or with Zoom.

 I make it a policy to offer my first lesson at no cost if you feel you haven’t received what you were expecting. Also, if you ask for help with a problem and if I find that I’m not able to provide the answer you need then you pay nothing, no matter how much time I spent trying to solve your problem.
Please email me with further questions or to discuss your situation.
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